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* One bit thing grand juries do is issue subpoenas. So this was bound to happen…
A downstate grand jury has subpoenaed records from Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office and at least two more state agencies as part of a criminal investigation into fatal Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks at the Quincy veterans’ home, WBEZ learned Wednesday.
Rauner’s administration surrendered copies of the Adams County grand jury subpoenas in response to a series of open-records requests.
The grand jury’s demand for Legionnaires’-related records tied to outbreaks at the Illinois Veterans Home went to the governor’s office and to the Illinois Departments of Veterans’ Affairs and Labor. Last week, WBEZ reported that the grand jury had also subpoenaed the state public health department.
The subpoenas, which went out Oct. 25, demand that Rauner’s administration turn over the documents by Thursday. No one has been charged with any wrongdoing relating to the outbreaks.
* From the IDPH story ten days ago…
The subpoena sought a sweeping array of public health records about Legionnaires’ cases at the Illinois Veterans Home, where nearly 70 residents and staff have been sickened since 2015, with 14 deaths linked to the illness.
The query for records also sought information about, among other things, agency procedures for providing notice about Legionnaires’ at the facility and any communications by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration and officials in other locales that have experienced big Legionnaires’ outbreaks, including Flint, Mich.
*** UPDATE *** I should’ve included this story in the post…
Illinois senators have rejected Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of legislation allowing for larger damage awards in lawsuits against the state.
Sen. Michael Hastings is the sponsor of the measure which would raise the $100,000 limit on damage awards to $2 million. The Orland Park Democrat and military veteran noted the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at the Quincy veterans’ home where 14 residents have died in the past three years. Families of several deceased victims have filed lawsuits against the state.
Hastings contended that the administration fell short in preventing the problem and notifying the public about what was happening. Rauner has repeatedly said his staff did everything it could and followed national experts’ advice.
Rauner rewrote the bill in an amendatory veto and suggested a $300,000 limit.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 9:20 am
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Rauner has a real thirst for tradition. Couldn’t leave the governor’s office without a criminal probe.
Comment by Illinois Boy Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 9:40 am
The fiasco of the (lack of) proper and prompt handling of the health risks at the Quincy veterans’ home has been in slow motion too long. This ugly chain of events illustrates too well the deadly impact of a hollowed-out state government — not to mention negligence. As a taxpayer, I’m angry about it, and I can only imagine how angry veterans’ families are.
Comment by Morningstar Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 9:58 am
Will be interesting to see what they were chit-chatting about with Michigan officials regarding their Legionairre’s outbreak.
State officials there were indicted on criminal charges.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 10:04 am
Rauner has lots of experience neglecting the elderly. He can’t leave soon enough.
Comment by Anon E Moose Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 11:20 am
I am not a veteran, but have family and friends who are. Contemporaries still wake up in cold sweats from their time in Vietnam and I know of a few others who are suffering from latent exposure to Agent Orange, even though the VA denies that this is the root of their current health problems.
That being said, those individuals have families that are able to help them survive. But what about those veterans that have no support group as they need it as they age? This is an unforgivable neglect of those who served and at at time when they needed help the most.
But who will be held accountable?
Comment by illini Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 11:57 am
Wonder what the paper trail on the Court of Claims AV looks like. Should be a doozey.
Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 12:25 pm
Kind of ironic when you think back to Republicans calling JB, jail bird.
Comment by Highland IL Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 12:37 pm
As to the update, damages revised upwards from $100,000 to $2,000,000 per any case filed against the State of Illinois?
The spending binge begins.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 1:04 pm
===As to the update, damages revised upwards from $100,000 to $2,000,000 per any case filed against the State of Illinois?
The spending binge begins.===
Tell that to the victims’ families.
Stay classy - Louis G Atsaves -
“The spending binge begins.”
I mean… wow.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 1:09 pm
–The spending binge begins.–
Is that your attitude with your workers comp and personal injury plaintiff clients?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 1:13 pm
“The spending binge begins.”
Caused by negligence by the current administration. So thank your buddy 1.4%.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 1:41 pm
So how much is a life worth to you Louis?
Indeed, stay classy.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 3:15 pm
Yes Louis, the spending begins due to the Democrats having to clean up the mess the Republicans administration caused.
Comment by Mama Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 4:45 pm